Complete Story

03/23/2016

Psychologists prescribing bill introduced

On March 23, State Senator Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) introduced Senate Bill 300, on behalf of the Ohio Psychological Association, a proposal that would allow certain psychologists to prescribe psychotropic and other drugs for treatment of drug addiction and mental illness. The OPPA and other medical groups oppose such legislation.

State Representative Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) has indicated his intent to introduce companion legislation on psychologist prescribing in the Ohio House of Representatives.

While psychiatrists and other primary care physicians value the professional abilities of psychologists, and work collaboratively with them to treat patients who suffer from mental disorders, psychologists do not have the medical training necessary for them to safely prescribe medication. Expanding the scope of practice for clinicians without adequate medical training jeopardizes the safety of Ohio’s citizens.

OPPA members are encouraged to look for a recent mailing that provides additional information about contacting their state representative and state senator to express concern about unsafe prescribing practices by clinicians who do not have adequate medical training.

In addition, OPPA members are encouraged to attend our upcoming Advocacy Day event to meet with individual members of the Ohio House and Ohio Senate to discuss safe prescribing practices.

Click HERE to register on-line for OPPA Advocacy Day on April 19, 2016!

Or, click HERE for more details and/or to print and mail/fax the registration form.